Ergonomic Tips for Computer Users What is ergonomics? Ergonomics is the scientific study of human work conditions. Developing a comfortable position helps us work better.

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Keyboarding SECRET The S.E.C.R.E.T. to successful keyboarding skills! S - SIT upright - Arms and wrists straight. E - Keep your EYES on the copy C - Use CORRECT fingers (Always press the keys with the correct finger. Keep your 'J' finger on the 'J' key when you depress the 'enter' key.) R - Keep a reasonable RHYTHM E - Eliminate ERRORS properly (If your instructor allows error correction, keep your 'J‘ finger on the 'J' key while your little finger depresses the 'backspace' key.) T - TAP your keys as if they were hot

Body Position Body erect, sitting back in chair. Push your hips as far back as they can go in the chair. Feet on floor for balance. Pull up close to your keyboard. Position the keyboard directly in front of your body. Relax your shoulders. Your elbows should be in a slightly open position (100 to 110), and your wrists and hands should be straight. Place the mouse as close as possible to the keyboard.

Home Row Keys Always begin with your hands on the home row. It is called the home row because most of the time your fingers will be resting on or near these keys as a guide. All keys on the keyboard are struck with these home row fingers--each finger has its own keys to strike, then it returns to the home row. LEARN TO ALWAYS STRIKE THE KEYS WITH THE CORRECT FINGERS

Keyboarding Hints Wrists low, but not touching the table or keyboard. Forearms parallel to sides of keyboard. Eyes on the copy

Fingers Curved  Place both hands on the home row with fingers curved.  Do not rest your wrists on the keyboard or the table! Float them in the air.

Keystroke Strike each key with a light tap, with the tip of the finger, snapping the fingertip toward the palm of the hand.

Spacebar Movement Lightly pressing the space bar with the RIGHT thumb (or LEFT if you are left-handed) is what makes the spaces between words. Always use the same thumb.

Enter Key Keep your pointer finger on the 'J' key while the pinky finger presses the 'ENTER' key and then comes back to the home row. The fingers in between may lift up. This is okay as long as your pointer finger stays on the 'J' key to help guide them back to the home row. It is very, very important that you learn to use the ENTER key the right way. This symbol means press the Enter key.

Can you pass the “nickel” test? Try this at home. Have someone place a nickel on each of your hands. The nickel should be placed in the middle between your wrist and first knuckle. See if you can type and not have the nickels fall off. If the nickel doesn’t fall off - you have excellent techniques.